Souleymane's Story

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1:37

Souleymane's Story

2025

1h 32m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

As he pedals through the streets of Paris to deliver meals, Souleymane repeats his story. In two days, he has to go through his asylum application interview, the key to obtaining papers. But Souleymane is not ready.

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Critics Consensus

Achingly human in its depiction of immigrant struggles, Souleymane's Story asks us to witness, understand, and grant empathy to all.

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Philip De Semlyen

Time Out

Oct 18, 2025

4/5

Lojkine, who co-wrote the naturalistic screenplay with Delphine Agut, has unearthed a real talent in newcomer Sangaré... It takes more than first-hand experience to inhabit a character with this much subtlety and skill.

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Ben Nicholson

Sight & Sound

Oct 17, 2025

As the script teases out the details of what he’s been through, it acutely humanises this young single male who has come to Europe in a boat. The effect is profound.

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Marina Ashioti

Little White Lies

Oct 17, 2025

4/5

With empathetic yet unsentimental means, Lojkine gracefully explores both the insurmountable pressures of the asylum-granting system and the precarious conditions of the gig economy.

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Brett McCracken

The Gospel Coalition

Feb 6, 2026

Lojkine’s film doesn’t delve into the politics of immigration or asylum programs. It simply asks us to observe one immigrant’s story and sit in his vulnerable shoes for 90 minutes.

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Lee Jutton

Film Inquiry

Jan 13, 2026

Abou Sangaré has a powerful debut performance in Souleymane’s Story, that focuses on the humanity behind the headlines.

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Marlon Wallace

The M Report (WBOC.com)

Jan 7, 2026

Sangare's performance here is probably my favorite male performance of the past year. His acting prizes are all well deserved. Some may argue that he wasn't really acting, as Sangare's personal life mirrors his character's in a lot of ways.

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Barbara

Aug 16, 2025

Riveting story and performance.

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Joseph C

@RT57854882 May 31, 2026

The movie depicts the struggles of a migrant and his homelessness, a constant battle with environment, society, bureaucracy and time. Very good effort.

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Charlie J

@cute_lemmings Feb 14, 2026

Definitely by far the worst film I’ve ever watched. Plot is really confusing and entertainment level is absolutely shocking. When I was forced to see this film with my French class, I fell asleep in the first five mins and was just waiting for it to be over. A huge waste of my time seeing this.

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Mariana d

@Solskin37 Jan 31, 2026

Loved it. My favorite film of the year.

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Garry A

@heavyg Jan 30, 2026

I felt the urgency and desperation Souleymane felt. It had me on the edge of my seat at times, just nervous for the character.

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Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Jan 28, 2026

A compelling, intense and powerful story about immigration and the strength and will of a strong, vulnerable Souleymane. Abou Sangare gives a natural, powerful performance and the writing and directing are superior. This is a great time for this movie!

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Boris Lojkine

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Abou Sangaré

Souleymane

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Khalil

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Souleymane's Story: Trailer 1

1:37

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Synopsis

As he pedals through the streets of Paris to deliver meals, Souleymane repeats his story. In two days, he has to go through his asylum application interview, the key to obtaining papers. But Souleymane is not ready.

Director: Boris Lojkine
Producer: Bruno Nahon
Screenwriter: Boris Lojkine, Delphine Agut
Distributor: Kino Lorber
Production Co: Unité
Genre: Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 1, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $100.8K
Runtime: 1h 32m

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